Reason to Resist

Over the annexation of Crimea by Russia, exchange of sanction is escalating between the great powers. Japan is still hesitating strict reaction to Russia’s imperialistic occupation of foreign territory, because its top leader does not want to abandon his one of a few achievements in diplomacy. Regardless its domestic situation of politics, Japan has a good reason to confront that unilateral offense backed by military power.

Also unilateral was Russian invasion to the Northern Territory of Japan in 1945, right after participating in the war breaching Japan-Soviet Neutrality Pact of 1941. After victory against Nazis Germany, Russian Army shifted its war front to the Far East. The Army advanced to the south along with Kuril Islands from Kamchatka Peninsula. When they reached the southernmost islands, the Northern Territory, where the Japanese had been living and the Japanese Army had already ceased war engagement, the Russians confiscated the land and buildings and ousted all the residents within a few years.

For Russians, Southern Kuril Islands were strategically important, because the area is all-season exit to the North Pacific Ocean without freezing of sea surface in the winter. Like Sevastopol in Crimea peninsula, the Northern Territory was necessary outpost to the south, the direction which had always been a basic motivation of Russian expansionism.

Nearly seven decades later, the Japanese refused from the Northern Territory are still struggling to get back to their own home islands. In the public offices in Hokkaido, a great number of documents to prove their ownership of private property are still preserved. As a result of negotiations, they could go to the islands to visit cemetery of their ancestors in the summer. However, some of them are living their lives watching their home islands through the windows of their houses everyday.

Embracing those victims of illegal invasion of Russia, the Government of Japan at least needs to express unequivocal resistance against the occupation of Crimea by Russian Army and accumulation of facts for the annexation. Russian annexation of Crimea will produce a number of Ukrainian refugees just as they had sent the Japanese back to Japan’s main islands right after the World War II. Showing appeasement in consideration with negative impacts on bilateral negotiation over peace treaty will erode Japan’s standpoint, because ignoring Crimean crisis will invite accusation of double standard.

It is necessary for Japanese political leaders to precisely understand the history their nation experienced and to take appropriate measures to maintain their cause to claim the territory.